Three Kings At The Masters
(741 words)
When I was ten years old, my family moved from Houston to Dallas, Texas, and my parents became members of the Dallas Athletic Club (DAC). A couple of years later, they both volunteered for the 1963 PGA Golf Tournament which was held at DAC. My dad was a marshal and arranged for me to go to the practice session where three pros played with one amateur. So I followed them walking down the middle of the fairway (no ropes in those days) alongside Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus. I really did not understand the significance of who and what I was watching, and that these three men were the reigning “kings of golf” on our planet.
I have a vivid memory of Jack Nicklaus hitting a driver off the fairway on a long par five, and back then with wooden club heads and the golf balls of the day, the ball would climb up into the sky . Nicklaus’ “driver-off-the-deck” fairway stroke made a loud “crack” as the golf ball shot out like a cannon and climbed up toward the clouds on a hot Texas afternoon, and then dropped down softly onto the green in two. It was magnificent! Jack Nicklaus won the 1963 PGA, no surprise.
Arnold Palmer hit a drive that started way out to the right soaring over the adjacent fairway, and then it turned left in a sweeping hook around trees that brought the ball down into the middle of the fairway on the hole being played. WOW!
Gary Player hit one drive that took off low and skipped across and finally sunk into the water. They all laughed including Player, so he re-teed and then blasted the next drive down the middle of the fairway. It surprised me that he made a mistake….. I didn’t know golf pros made mistakes!
I look back on that day with mixed feelings of awe and a little bit of regret that I did not fully grasp how special that opportunity was. It was a milestone moment in my life as it opened my eyes and heart to the game of golf.
Fast forward to April 9, 2015, as I watched the “Three Kings” perform the ceremonial first tee shots on the number one hole at Augusta National Golf Club to kickoff the 2015 Masters Tournament. Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player moved a little slower and a little less sure of themselves, each showing a bit of anxiety that they would not muff their tee shots. But in king-like fashion they striped their drives down the middle of the number one fairway to the delight and cheers of all the fans, including myself (watching on TV): still inspiring, still impressing, still showing us the way in the world of golf just as they did for me back in 1963.
But these gentlemen were not just “Kings” on the golf course only.
Beyond golf, Arnold Palmer became a pop culture icon. His design company created over 300 golf courses globally, and his namesake iced tea and lemonade (an “Arnold Palmer”), became a very popular American beverage. His business acumen and charisma helped usher in a new era of golf's popularity as he piloted himself around the country in his personal jet.
Nicklaus' non-golf ventures focused on philanthropy and course design. The Golden Bear Charities has raised millions for children's health. His design company has crafted courses worldwide, aiming to be accessible to all skill levels, promoting the sport he loved.
And Gary Player has been a tireless advocate for education and development in Africa. He founded The Black Knight International Junior Golf Academy in South Africa, and his Gary Player Foundation provides educational and healthcare resources throughout the continent.
Golf is so much more than just a game for most of us golfers. It becomes a golden thread that weaves its way throughout our entire lives. I played golf with my Dad to celebrate his 98th birthday and just as Arnie and Jack and Gary do when they play golf together, Dad tried his best to beat me, and me him. It was always that way with us, father and son.
I can only hope that my son and I will be doing the same thing when I’m 98.
